It has been a quick week for me since the time we were deployed here. Everybody was able to slowly adjust with the students and environment. Although 3 weeks of teaching the Grade 10 students ended quickly I realized that it made me emotional. I don't know why, lol. I just have a reminiscent of my high school life and it made me relive the fun years. I am not supposed to feel this way but when I look back at how good life was when in high school, it just made me want to go back again. Cringe but I think I still have a little attachment here haha.
I've made it a routine to wake up at 4:30 AM every day, but on Mondays, it's 4:00 AM because I have to get ready for the early flag raising at 6 AM. Since junior classes are half-day, I’m in the morning session that also starts at 6 AM. Surprisingly, I’ve come to love the routine—waking up early, taking a shower, putting on light makeup, wearing my teaching uniform, and attaching my pin. It gives me a sense of purpose every day.
If you're an educator or maybe someone who is studious, you might be wondering why I'm teaching pronouns to Grade 10 students. By this stage, they should have mastered it. But honestly, grammar always needs a bit of a refresh, even at higher levels.
I am grateful to my cooperating teacher for her kindness to me. Because of this, I didn't feel pressured, and I was able to function at my best in front of the students. It's fulfilling to speak in front and discuss something that will help them in the future. I enjoyed asking questions and letting them take part in the class. Additionally, I was beyond happy and surprised to receive a 96% rating from my evaluation. It is totally heartwarming for me.
This is the Grade 10 section Tolerance and I like their energy. They are no complainer and participative to the class. I can say they are learning on the process. One activity I had in their class was group work where they presented a yellow and chose one representative to talk about environmental issues and solutions. I am happy they are able to follow and my purpose of doing this is to practice them speaking in front. Since they are in their final junior high, I want them to develop their confident in public speaking. I have told them about it so that when they proceed to their senior high school they are prepared.
They're a bit different from Tolerance. While Tolerance is full of energy and participation, Trustworthy is a bit more reserved. I’ve noticed they don’t engage as much in class, and they seem to complain a little more, which is fine. Not every class will be the same, and as a teacher, you learn to adapt to the dynamics of each group. You can’t expect every class to behave the same way or to have the same energy levels, but that’s part of the teaching.
What matters is that despite the difference in participation, I still enjoy working with this group. It reminds me that, as a teacher, you need to be ready for all kinds of students. Some will be enthusiastic and ready to jump into activities, while others may need a bit more encouragement to open up. It’s all about finding ways to connect with them and keeping them engaged.
I genuinely enjoy teaching the Grade 10 Tranquility section. Their name truly reflects the kind of energy they bring to class. There's a calmness about them that makes the classroom atmosphere peaceful and pleasant. What I like the most is their initiative. Their class president is organized and proactive, always reminding the class about the instructions I give and making sure they stay on track. They’re also the only section that prints out the rubrics I’ve given, which makes things so much easier for both me and the students.
I really appreciate their attention and their sense of responsibility. Unlike some of the other sections, I don’t experience the same level of frustration or headaches in this class. It’s a relief to teach a group like this, and I can genuinely say it’s a pleasure to handle a students like them. I really hope all of my classes will have this level of cooperation and commitment in the future.
I also have the Grade 8 section, Joyful! I didn't handle an entire teaching discussion with them. I’ve mostly been in charge of facilitating. The interesting part is that my sister is in this class, and she’s right beside me in the pic! I remember joking around before, telling her that I might end up teaching in her class one day, and here I am, actually doing it! It’s funny how sometimes the things we say just end up coming true 😂. Even though I’m not teaching them lessons in English, I’ve really enjoyed being with these students. They’re so cute and full of energy. I’m going to miss them really. I just wish I could stay a little longer and get to know them better.
Meanwhile my Grade 8 section Integrity! The boys here are a bit silly haha. They want me to check their attendance first so they can have a snack. Well I am not strict with them because I am only going to give them a short activity because my cooperating teacher was busy that time. So she requested me if can I assist them. Well, I like and understand their childish behaviour and I don't want to ruin it. 😂
I also wanna share the stickers I bought for my students. I like these kinds of stuffs especially the quotes written on it because they are motivational. I was actually surprised when the Grade 8 boys really liked the stickers, even though some of them have a more girly aesthetic! They crowd on my table to ask for stickers. How cute actually. It made my day seeing them so happy because of the stickers.
These past three weeks have been a mix of different experiences. It's funny how they felt both long and short at the same time—so much has happened. I’ve learned many things during this time, and I think the students have learned just as much from me. There’s something so fulfilling about being able to share wisdom with all your students.
On the other hand, we didn’t expect the rotation after just three weeks. Our reaction was a mixed of happiness and worries, lol. It is something we need to face and I am excited to teach Filipino to Grade 7 students. I’ve heard they can be a bit more difficult to manage, but on the flip side, they’re super clingy. (Sounds balance, I guess haha).I just hope that I’ll be able to connect with the students, make lessons engaging, and most importantly, help them love learning. Teaching is a long journey, and while it can be tough at times, I know it’s the kind of work that will pay off in the long run. I’m ready for whatever comes next. Let’s see how it goes.~
If you made it to the end, thank you for reading my blog. Until next time! 💕
